Apartment 10

Instagram... favorite fall hat

2011-11-10T22:19:00.001-05:00

needed a fall hat: bought one (in august)

needed a hair cut: procrastinated... that was eight months ago.

Instagram... a cold fall night...

2011-11-10T22:06:00.001-05:00

two of my favorite things:

cold weather attire and Chocolate Mousse

yumm

Touring the upper west side...

2011-11-10T21:59:00.001-05:00

riding in car with boy

outside of St. John's Cathedral on W110th street

tour guide JG

a few weeks ago, Sue and Stan came into NYC for a day of shmying around the UWS and a delicious birthday dinner at Smoke.

added bonus, we got to listen to Jake play drums at said dinner.

our favorite view of Harlem from Morningside Park :)

Instagram: Park Slope

2011-11-10T21:37:00.001-05:00

playground

babies

girlfriends out shoppin'

{can i move to brooklyn already?}

Logan and the Marathon

2011-11-10T21:16:00.000-05:00

on saturday i headed down to magical Park Slope. the land of babies and puppies and townhouses.

on sunday (i might have slept over) we went for a walk with the babies (not the puppy, he was at home) and went down to watch the NYC marathoners as they came up 4th avenue. so exciting! it was inspiring and incredibly humbling. i'm not sure i could ever run a marathon. all the power to those who can and did.

and um, PS, have you seen Logan's eyes? what a little stud.

Little Girlfriend and her BlaBla Elephant

2011-11-10T20:57:00.004-05:00

When littlest Lilly was born I couldn't wait to go shopping for "girly stuff"

don't get me wrong, i love the littlest boys in my life Matty - Logan - Clark...
and all of the wonderful, trucks, cars, blocks and rubber snakes that come along with them.
(ok, maybe not the rubber snakes)

but finally I could peruse anything and everything feminine - pink! purple! frilly! fluffy! fancy!!!

**deep breath**

While in one of the many great baby stores on the UWS I stumbled across this Elephant created by BlaBla. Here name is Josephine.

She was perfect. I knew Lilly must have her.

(secretly I wanted one, and I might have snuggled with her a few nights before bringing her to Park Slope)

there are hundreds of crocheted dolls to choose from.

along with hats, sweaters and booties!

oh and finger puppets. i love finger puppets.

Let's Play Catch-Up: Yom Kippur

2011-11-10T19:59:00.002-05:00

Jake's mom, Amy aka the Meech, always creates the most beautiful table settings for the holidays.
Here are few photos of the Yom Kippur Table. Gorg.

Remember New Year's Eve 2010?
Check it out: Here and Here and Here!

Let's Play Catch-up: Intrepid with Mama and Daddy

2011-11-09T15:27:00.001-05:00

back on a hot, hot, humid summer day we FINALLY got to the intrepid.

boy did we have fun! :)

Let's Play Catch-up: Jessie and Rob get hitched!

2011-11-06T20:33:00.005-05:00

After months and months of anticipation the big day finally arrived! Jessie and Rob got married on one of the most beautiful summer days I have ever experienced. Blue skies, cool breeze, warm sun. It was glorious. The ceremony was romantic, touching and funny. No one tripped down the aisle. Jessie looked incredibly stunning and Rob looked handsome and confident while he awaited his future wife as she walked down the aisle accompanied by her beaming parents. I was honored to have been asked to sing and giddy to walk down and back up the aisle with JG.

Oh, and there were loads of italian cookies and even more dancing! Basically, it was awesome.

Let's play catch-up: The Rehearsal and Dinner

2011-11-05T09:35:00.006-04:00

The night before the big day we all gathered at the site of the wedding and rehearsed. We walked, talked, and laughed our way through the motions. I think we were all giddy with excitement and also starving, so after everyone new what they had to do and where they had to do it for the wedding ceremony we all headed in town for the dinner at The Placid Club Boat House. What a wonderful night!

let's play catch-up: in the woods

2011-10-12T16:43:00.001-04:00

there is this consignment shop around the corner from my apartment in nyc. this lace maxi dress was adorning the dress form outside the shop. i went in and bought it immediately. then i heard the story of the dress. it was part of the 1950's wedding attire of a little old lady who lives on my block. everyday her husband pushes her up and down Claremont Avenue in her wheel chair. i truly feel honored to wear a bit of her romantic history. i paired it with my red frye cowboy boots to make it a little more mountain-7.

also, every year that i've gone to ADK jake buys me one of these silver stacking rings. i love them.

let's play catch-up: Lake Placid with JG

2011-10-12T16:15:00.003-04:00

it wouldn't feel like an Adirondak trip if it didn't include walking around town and window shopping. jake and i spent a unusually chilly afternoon wandering in and out of our favorite boutiques, candy shops and antique stores up and down main street. there was also maybe some hand holding, flirting and kissing when no one was looking, of course.

btw i was so very excited to wear this vintage missoni inspired sweater that was my mom's! i wish she had saved more of her clothes [i am still lusting after a teal dress she wore in the '70s that i can only admire via photograph] BUT the few pieces she did hang on to are truly some of my favorites. so thanks mama :)

let's play catch-up: Mount Jo

2011-10-11T13:48:00.001-04:00

Jake's sister Jessie got married this summer to her best friend and love, Rob. for the big day we all headed up to Lake Placid in the Adirondak Mountains, the vacation spot of Jake and his fam since before he was born. Jake's parents rented a big house and we spent the week hiking, shopping around town, cooking, eating, laughing and prepping for the big event!

the above photos were taken on the "easy hike" Mount Jo. Jake's mom Amy led the hike and after some sweat and hard work we all had a blast posing on top of the mountain and enjoying the incredible views. it will never again truly be summer if i don't hike mount jo (this is the third year in a row!)

let's play catch-up: jessie's bachelorette pary

2011-10-11T12:09:00.002-04:00

here are the attributes of a successful bachelorette party:

1.) gift bags including: cheeky shot glasses with sayings like "that's what she said", blow pops, bobbles and trinkets, personal bottles of champagne and monogrammed glasses and of course, tiaras.

2.) finger mustache tattoos

3.) 7 gal pals and 1 bride-to-be

4.) a party bus cruisin' the streets of boston. more importantly a party bus driver named jim who has a real mustache.

favorite part of the evening: when our bachelorette party was mistaken as a Sweet 16 Party.

i felt 9 years younger, and also a tad guilty because i had ingested lots of champagne by that point.

New Series: To-Do List Tuesday

2011-10-11T11:24:00.001-04:00

so, today i am going to start a new "series" it's going to be called To-Do List Tuesday. i don't know about you, but whenever i am feeling overwhelmed i make a to-do list. it really helps. and for me, there is a real cathartic joy in crossing off each task. during a stressful week it is the small victories that make all the difference. that and a skinny vanilla latte. :)

**to do list made on iPad 2**

let's play catch up: Pat & Jackie get hitched!!

2011-10-10T18:34:00.003-04:00

on May 27th 1978 my father Paul married his best friend and the love his life Jeanne.

on May 27th 2011 my brother Patrick married his best friend and the love of his life Jackie.

i couldn't think of a better way to spend a spring day than celebrating with two couples who to me, exemplify true love. the day was perfect. more photos to come, these are the ones i snagged from the preview website. :)

Princess Lilly

2011-10-10T00:49:00.000-04:00

i can't believe my beautiful friend Emily is now the very proud mama of TWO babies under 2! being a young mother in today's world is a bit of a phenomenon, so to have done it twice in less than 2 years is mind boggling to me.

i know someday when i am ready for little ones of my own i have an incredible friend to confide in and call whenever i have questions or concerns.

on another note, aren't Lilly and Logan so extremely delicious? and i've never really seen a prouder big brother! welcome to the world little Lilly, i am so thrilled to have an excuse to buy "girly stuff!"

let's play catch-up: Amanda's 26th bday dinner!

2011-10-09T12:52:00.002-04:00

here's the deal. we (me, jame and amanda) always have to celebrate our birthday together. now that jamie lives in Seattle, amanda in Dobbs Ferry and me in nyc, it's a bit more of a challenge than when we were in highschool and lived within walking distance. so when jamie was visiting in July, we decided to celebrate early... at Pisticci, one of my all time favorite Italian restaurants. not only is the food unbelievably delicious but Pisticci is the first restaurant in nyc to go completely, 100% green! you should really check it out if you have the chance!

jamie always laughs that amanda and i have the new york snarky face down pat now that's we both been living here for over five years. it's the look you go to when someone snags your cab, or blocks the subway door. there's nothing to it right? well, nothing to it, if you're a new yorker.

jamie, our north west gal, just can't seem to get it right. i think because people is seattle, are actually super friendly and smiley most of the time. as opposed to us aloof new yorkers! below, we try out some "snark" me, amanda and then jame.

audrey hepburn cat card and a shiny silver bag of goodies is inevitably the best way to start any birthday.

after dinner we managed to grab my super Carlos to take some photos. Carlos has a way of always being around when i need him EXCEPT if there is a leak, mouse or clogged toilet. hm. good timing on his part.

pinterest obsessed...

2011-10-08T21:03:00.010-04:00

i know i am behind on this... but i am absolutely obsessed with PINTEREST. do you know about it? have you tried it? i am addicted. it is filling this void in my life, the void of "shopping" and "owning" beautiful things. now, i can find them whenever i want without actually laying down the cash to put them in my closet. i'm on a budget, so things like paying off student loans and tossing out dough for voice competitions, lessons and coachings takes precedence these days. there is no room in my budget for elaborate flower arrangements, furniture, wedding apparel or sparkly accessories. so, i go on pinterest and click click click away! all the fun, none of the guilt. that's what i call a good deal.

follow me on pinterest, we can dream together!
above photo from my for the future "big day" board

photo shoot with xanthe elbrick

2011-10-08T20:51:00.000-04:00

jake and i needed some publicity photos for our websites and also for some exciting new projects coming up! (more about that later) so we and our fabulous photographer and friend Xanthe Elbrick spent the day frolicking in Sakura Park on the Upper West Side. xanthe works magic behind the lens, not to mention she has a f-AH-bulous british accent which makes anyone smile.

i've been very bad...

2011-09-01T16:31:00.000-04:00

life has been busy. busy and wonderful.

and this little blog of mine has gotten away from me.

i'm sorry little blog. i'm sorry friends.

but do not fret, i'm back!!!

things to look forward to reading and seeing...

-weddings- three of them!

-vacations- two of them!

-babies- lots of them!

and more, more, more!

sun valley

2011-07-10T12:10:00.000-04:00

i miss you already sun valley.

back to reality.

welcome summah!

2011-05-31T20:23:00.000-04:00

it's official, our new york city summah has arrived! on our way to a memorial day lunch in Park Slope Brooklyn we snapped these photos with the iPhone 4 instagram app in 90 + temps, sunny skies and of course, humidity.

it even sounds like summah, because as i type this post i am being lulled into an early sleep by the hum of my air conditioner. the fan is whirling above me in a hypnotizing way and it's taking every ounce of my strength to stay awake to taste some of jg's yummy grilled chicken.

i think it's time to make a new summer-time header. these pics are my inspiration. hmmmm the wheels are turning!!

Instagram: Flowers

2011-05-19T19:43:00.000-04:00

recently i've been obsessing over two things:

instagram

and

new york city's flowers

i seriously can't get enough.

Gigi and Pop Pop

2011-05-09T23:43:00.000-04:00

there is nothing like seeing the joy on my parents' faces when they are with little Matty. we spent Easter Sunday afternoon enjoying walks, hugs and kisses with this sweet baby boy. i can't believe how fast he has grown! last year on Easter he fit into an Easter Basket. now he is walking and talking like a big boy!

Matty's Faces

2011-05-09T23:31:00.001-04:00

I can't get enough of this little boy's faces.

Matty's First Swing :)

2011-05-09T23:21:00.000-04:00

On Easter Sunday I strolled sweet little Matty from Brunch at Henry's on West 105th street up to Sakura Park on Claremont Avenue btw West 122nd and Lasalle Street. Here, he had his first ride in a swing. He looked so cute with his blonde air blown back off his forehead and his tentative little smile growing bigger with each swing. I can't wait to be present for many more Matty firsts!

Philadelphia Weekend

2011-04-28T13:11:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago Jake and I decided to celebrate our 3 year anniversary in Philadelphia. Since both of us had to be in the city that night for my brother and his Fiancée's bachelor/bachelorette parties, we decided to make a mini-vay-cay out of it. especially since we've both been so busy back in NYC.

It was a gorgeous, sunny, warm spring day. we walked all around the historic district and even saw the liberty bell (well, through a window, peeking over a hedge and through a wrought iron fence... give us a break, the line was an eternity!) we mosied through perfectly pruned gardens and poked our heads into art galleries and smaller museums along the way.

i really loved seeing Betsy Ross's house and Elfreth Alley, the oldest inhabited street in America. I can't believe that people still live in these gorgeous little town houses! lucky, ducks. oh and i had a delicious cheese steak for lunch! of course!

Seattle: McCaw Hall

2011-04-28T12:22:00.000-04:00

after jamie picked up tickets for the Ballet, i forced her to take/pose for these two cheesy pictures. because i sing opera and not too long ago jamie was a pretty serious ballerina. and so, cheese fest took place in the middle of the day while no one was looking.... ok maybe a few people were looking.

Seattle: Bainbridge Island Shops

2011-04-28T12:08:00.000-04:00

decorative eggs, gurgle pots and ice cream - Oh My!

it was sixty degrees and sunny in the middle of March on Bainbridge Island, WA. no rain. no clouds. no cold. and without fail every store we walked into we were greeted with giddy shop keepers who would practically shriek "isn't this the most GLORIOUS day?!" or "how could you NOT be happy on a day like today?!" or "the sun!! look at that clear sky!"

these people were high on sunshine.

The Case of the Mysterious Red Paint

2011-04-28T11:51:00.000-04:00

As Jamie and I walked into town two things became obvious. 1) Mainstreet Bainbridge Island was under construction and 2) Someone had painted a red, swirly and winding "yellow-brick road" of sorts along the sidewalk. Hushed and anxious shop keepers huddled outside their businesses whispering and pointing nervously at the still wet "vandalism!" Yes, THIS was vandalism in the highest degree. Why, who would do such a thing? Maybe it was the city's way of cleverly marking which sidewalks needed replacing offered a silver-haired woman to her neighbor. No, the other disagreed, no doubt this was done by some hooligans, most likely... teenagers! Gasp!

I found it whimsical and fabulously entertaining, and couldn't help thinking how nice the world would be if this were the only type of destruction we had to worry about in our lives.

Seattle: Bainbridge Island

2011-04-28T11:32:00.000-04:00

On our last day in Seattle Jamie and I checked out Bainbridge Island, a tiny Island 35 minutes from downtown Seattle. We were lucky enough to take the Ferry out there on a crystal clear day and we could see ALL of the mountain ranges on the very, very wind ride over to Bainbridge.

The town is picturesque with quaint shops and beautiful water views, it seems like the perfect place to live a sleepy, peaceful and simple existence. In another life I will open a book shop and own a tiny little cottage with a garden full of peonies and a porch swing.

For right now, i can smile and think of my imaginary life as sit on my fire escape and listen to the busy city sounds outside of my window.

Seattle: Olympic Sculpture Park

2011-04-14T11:29:00.000-04:00

i know, i know i have been drawing out these Seattle pictures for a while, but there are so many!! i promise to wrap them up and update you on Matty's 1st Birthday and sooon on Easter!

The Olympic Sculpture Park is so serene and calming. I loved wandering around with jamie and watching the city peek out between these massive red sculptures called "Wake" - beautiful!

Seattle: Pike's Public Market

2011-04-02T18:16:00.001-04:00

Sleepless in Seattle is one of my favorite movies, and i love the scene when Sam (Tom Hanks) and his son Jonah go to Pike's Public Market to meet Sam's date. too funny. i kept thinking about it as i wandered from vendor to vendor enjoying the sights and sounds and the tastes of the market! free samples galore, i tried delicious jams, chocolate noodles and fresh, crisp grapes. i especially loved all of the gorgeous flowers!!

Seattle: Fremont Neighborhood

2011-04-02T12:24:00.000-04:00

after walking around Ballard we headed to another neighborhood known as Fremont. i loved looking around at all of the architecture. we saw everything from super modern apartment buildings to craftsman style houses. below are two of my favorites .... i noticed that a majority of the residences around Seattle offer outdoor space. we've got a fire escape in Seattle that can fit one person, does that count!?

above is the Fremont Troll who lives under a bridge. isn't he fantastic?! i couldn't help giggling when we finally saw him, for about a 1/2 mile jamie kept asking me what i was expecting, and for some reason i was imagining a garden gnome. if you look closely he is grasping a vw in his hand! i wonder if nyc has a troll who lives under a bridge.... maybe somewhere in central park!

3 years

2011-04-01T15:24:00.010-04:00

three years ago today i was nervously planning my outfit and fussing with my hair and make up.
i was googly-eyed and had dozens of butterflies in my stomach.
i watched him play congas on stage and clapped and cheered.
i kissed him. he asked me to be only his.
so, he and i became "we."

1,095 days of laughs, tears, arguments, struggle, triumph and love.
and i wouldn't change a second. not a second.

journey of jg + kc through blogspot

did you know we'd fall in love?

in the beginning

one year anniversary: play list of memories

year and a half
polaroid lovin'
being silly is how we do
milestones

Seattle: The Ballard Neighborhood - Part 2

2011-03-24T23:55:00.000-04:00

ok, so jamie took me to her favorite shop in Ballard, called {HORSESHOE} i knew before stepping through the front door i would love, love, LOVE it. two words: cowboy boots....

i love the combination of vintage merchandise (like the cowboy boots) mixed in with jewelry made by local artists and then designer name brands i adore like splendid, three dots and ella moss. i knew it was a store soul mate when i noticed the sold my favorite soy candle brand Kobo. LOVE.

the store's decor is as gorgeous as the clothes and remains true to the shop's philosophy of fusing the old with the new. i especially like seeing the antique sewing machines and tables used as display cases. the reclaimed barn wood dressing room doors, and the horsehoes hung above each "stall" gives shoppers just the right touch of cowgirl in an otherwise uber chic surrounding.

i'm saving up my pennies for a big shopping trip next time i'm in Ballad!

Seattle: The Ballard Neighborhood - Part 1

2011-03-24T23:06:00.002-04:00

while still recovering from what Jamie's brother calls "Le Jet Lag" we decided to lay low and enjoy a relaxing afternoon exploring the near-by neighborhoods. Jamie lives in Ballard, a super hip, young community in the northwestern part of Seattle. as we sipped our coffee, laughed and made small talk (a luxury long distance friends can't always indulge in) we wandered down a cobble stone road lined with boutiques, shops, bakeries and cafes. when you add the fresh crisp air, the mountain views on a clear day and jamie as a neighbor... i'm sold... now i just need to convince jg on the move :)

jamie's hat from {gifted} amazing stationary, novelty gifts and funky accessories and jewelry

my fancy hat from {horseshoe}... more from this shop later

and puppets from {clover toys} the toy and baby decor shop of my dreams. this childhood boutique contained crafts, puzzles, puppets, onsies, booties and kid apparel, stuffed animals, beautiful paintings on stretched canvas, wooden toys and shelves upon shelves of beautiful dolls. what it didn't have? battery operated toys. halleluiah!

Seattle: sneak peak

2011-03-24T03:58:00.000-04:00

it's 12:47am west coast time. which means i need to be awake in about 3 1/2 hours to catch a plane back home to new york city where the time is currently 3:47am. yikes. but i couldn't go to bed without at least, starting the Seattle posts.... i can't believe my trip is over, i could have stayed here with jamie and the fresh air and the shopping and the mountains... forever. but i would need jake, my favorite owls and a whole lot of clothes to come out here to meet me. then, forever.

anyway. just thought i'd let you know (in case you haven't been to Seattle) that the coffee really IS amazing. seriously. i have been buzzing on caffeine for about five days straight. love the latte baby.

.... more seattle adventures with jamie to follow, stay tuned.
....... check out jamie's new blog header: here i did it! thoughts?

catch up: em moves to park slope!

2011-02-08T00:57:00.001-05:00

i enjoyed a delightful (and eventful!) snowy afternoon in Park Slope with Emily, Meggie and baby Logan! {doesn't he have the most gorgeous eyes?! and look at that smile, i melt!... unlike the snow}

it was delightful because i love nothing more than wandering around in the snow with friends.

it was eventful because Dexter {Meggie's dog} actually caught a squirrel! which caused us all to shriek and Dexter to promptly drop the unharmed squirrel who, chattering fiercely, ran away!

FYI: this has been our SNOWIEST winter in almost 2 decades

catch up: my 25th Birthday!

2011-02-08T00:47:00.000-05:00

for my quarter-century birthday bash i only had three requests:

food, family & friends, and music.

i was lucky enough to have the lovely nancy lee host my party at her beautiful Central Park West apartment.

there was an exorbitant amount of food

my entire family was there

and all of my friends showed up {many with their instruments!}

and we had, what i'd like to call, an epic jam sesh.

it was truly a night i will always remember!

catch up: Happy New Year!

2011-02-08T00:37:00.000-05:00

we made a lot of resolutions

some we've kept

some we haven't

we wrote these resolutions on the back of scrap paper that our waitress gave us at Arugula in West Hartford, CT

our restaurant of choice for New Year's Eve

as we sipped prosecco {me} and beer {jake} we laughed, kissed, giggled and generally annoyed all those around us with our love.

oh, and we ate THE BEST MEAL of our lives.

hands down.

i'm still dreaming of their

Moules et Frites {mediterranean mussels steamed with tomatoes, curry, black olives & onion marmalade} which came out in a steaming hot kettle that was poured into a bowl and devoured ALSO served with sweet potato fries & saffron-tarragon aiolo - simply divine.

in 2011 a lot will change, one thing will stay the same {disclaimer: gush to follow}, my love for jg.

catch up: Natalie Rae moves in!

2011-02-08T00:25:00.001-05:00

{meet natalie}

in january 2011 a new resident moved into apartment 10 - here are some facts to get you acquainted :)

1. i like to call her Natty Rae, because it sounds bad ass

2. she's a ballet dancer

3. she's a jazz trombonist who tours with folks like, oh you know, Trey Anastasio

4. she is a mean baker

5. and an even meaner Mario Kart addict

6. she giggles alot

7. she washes the kitchen floor, which is awesome

8. she's from california

9. she looks really cute in vintage dresses, and pants that would look horrific on me.

10. i love hearing her sing from down the hall as i get ready in the morning.

yay! you will see more of Natty here at apartment 10 :)

catch up: Amanda moves out!

2011-02-08T00:11:00.001-05:00

i can't believe three years of living with Amanda Elizabeth Halpin flew by so quickly!

it was, as Monica said to Rachel "THE END OF AN ERA!!"

i especially felt this Amanda void when i woke up on my 25th birthday.

i threw open my bedroom door, and bounded down our long hall way.

but wait... where were my home made, marker drawn birthday signs?!

where were MY BIRTHDAY SIGNS?

*gasp!!* tear, she really was gone.

i'll never forget our years together AEH.

<3 your roomie for life,

KDC

{in case you didn't guess it, amanda used to decorate our apartment with home made happy birthday signs every year we lived together, it was awesome}

time for catch up: christmas

2011-02-08T00:03:00.000-05:00

i know, i know. you are looking at this picture (that's almost a month and a half old) and thinking, really?

i'm sorry! i haven't had my blog act together in awhile.

i've been busy, life's been flying by and my blog has gotten away from me.

all i can say about christmas 2010 is what a difference a year makes.

it's hard to believe that last year we hadn't met this little man.

and now, he is so much a part of our world.

i think about him every day, and count down the moments until i can hold him and kiss those chubby cheeks!

merry (belated) xmas.

new header!

2011-02-06T22:22:00.002-05:00

do ya dig?!

Happy Birthday, Jamie Diana!

2011-01-12T08:58:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday to my best friend, Jamie Diana.

Can you believe... we're 25? (well, t-minus one week for me)

I can't! That seems too grown up.

I can still remember sitting on your front lawn, at night, picking grass
and listening to the sounds of the suburbs while talking about "when we grow up..."

And I think we've done pretty darn good.

I can't wait to come and visit you in Seattle, we can drink coffee and
wear rain boots and go on a hike and go shopping and maybe even go to the opera! Fancy time.

I love you and hope you have an amazing day!

{ps} above is the gorgeous cake jamie made and below that is a classic JAK photo, of course.

mpc

2011-01-09T03:55:00.001-05:00

the many faces of Matty... the second one is my all time favorite!

Turkey Day with the bambini

2011-01-08T09:54:00.001-05:00

thanksgiving with Matty was a blast, he was yummier than the turkey.

aren't john, crissy and matty the cutest little family!?

yay!

sniff, sniff!

2011-01-08T00:17:00.000-05:00

hi, my name is pharaoh.

i'm a nice guy.

Lost Boys Photoshoot

2011-01-08T00:10:00.004-05:00

if you've enjoyed these, you'll absolutely adore the calendar.

listen and love

"OMG" (pronounced 'oh' 'em' 'gee')

2011-01-07T23:55:00.000-05:00

have i really not blogged in two months!?!? i seriously don't even know where to begin. thanksgiving? christmas? new year's? or all the little events in between? hm. I guess I'll just start where i left off...

football anyone?!

The Little Prince

2010-11-04T11:43:00.001-04:00

I was so honored to celebrate baby Logan's christening with my dear friends, Alex and Emily.

It was an absolutely, gorgeous indian summer afternoon.

and sweet Baby Logan never fussed for an instant during the entire service.

What a little prince he is.

Vegas Baby

2010-11-04T11:32:00.001-04:00

for beautiful Courtnay's birthday we (me, courtnay and courtney) headed to VEGAS BABY!

we spent three days sunning and partying in vegas - it was glorious...

these are our primping pictures,

because i can't fit la Nikon into a clutch, we had to capture the joy in house.

high lights:

Dom Perignon being sent to our table at Lavo

mashed yams at Botero (trust me, they are amazing)

skipping the line at XS and being ushered to a private table

now... what am i going to do for MY 25th? hmm

recording studio fun

2010-10-26T22:49:00.001-04:00

there's nothing i love more than spending an afternoon listening to these boys play and sing.

can't wait for all the future collaborations with the Lost Boys.

get your fix: ...here...

bliss in the berkshires

2010-10-26T22:36:00.000-04:00

the boys heading out to catch dinner.

in boots

with 'tude

the result of the men's fishing

we were all quite, quite exhausted.

quite.

but the next day, we were all energized and giddy.

the air smelled so crisp and clean.

we didn't want to leave.

everything sort of looked rosy.

and i felt relaxed.

jg found a triangle, though rusty, it did the job.

ahhhh bliss in the berkshires

fresh veggies from the garden, hand chopped by dan.

the beautiful lake.

i love, love, love fall.

spending it with old friends and new ones made it all the better.

Hanging downtown with the boys :)

2010-10-26T22:05:00.000-04:00

when the Simsbury boys are all in new york together, life is good.

hanging out with jg, dan and zach is always a fun, often hysterical time.

and i love the camaraderie between childhood friends.

it's different than friendships made later in life.

there's a history.

childhood friends are like family.

so, jake's family was in town.

Montauk with Matty

2010-09-12T16:41:00.000-04:00

i am so lucky to have such a loving family

after a summer of nannying in the Hamptons

i finally got to enjoy Montauk on my own terms with those i love best

how adorable are my brother, sis-in-law and godson?!

it was a wonderful mini-vay-cay!!!

Cornelia Street Cafe w/ the Lost Boys

2010-09-12T16:06:00.001-04:00

love, love, love Sam Reider the Lost Boys
LISTEN and you will love, love, love them too.

OHIO: Griswald Reunion

2010-09-12T15:31:00.001-04:00

james and jamie enjoying the evening

ooo, la la

beautiful jojo listening to Paul's storytelling

the Griswald Clan

OHIO: Nono's Garden

2010-09-12T15:18:00.000-04:00

spent a lovely weekend in Cleveland, Ohio with jg's fam

enjoying gorgeous end of the summer weather in Noelle's magical garden.

so beautiful.

Guilty Pleasure: Katy Perry

2010-08-23T21:30:00.001-04:00

a majority of my summer has been spent driving a big, black escalade around bridgehampton.

sound glamorous... until you know there are three little girls in the back, and i'm their nanny.

regardless, 101.7 THE BEACH is our radio station...

mainly because they play Katy Perry 24/7

i adore her songs, i love her.
i can't get enough of her.

and Teenage Dream has been on repeat on my itunes for 25+ minutes.

no sign of turning it off, viva katy!

MPC: PA BBQ... get it?

2010-08-23T21:14:00.000-04:00

we can't get enough of matthew paul christopher. he's the best

each time i see him i fall in love a little more, how could you not? he's delish.

YUM: Funnel Cake

2010-08-23T20:57:00.000-04:00

Fried dough, Funnel Cake, Elephant Ears - whatever you call it, it's delicious

and summer's just not summer without powder sugar all over your lips!

Meet: Kate Davis

2010-08-23T12:51:00.004-04:00

a few weeks back, i spent an amazing night in Syracuse, NY

listening to the fabulous Kate Davis's sweet vocals and sick double bass skills

you can listen too: she's incredible

untitled for once is my favorite

ps it doesn't hurt that i'm kind of in love with her drummer

pps it's jake, hehe :)

ADK: 2010

2010-08-23T12:33:00.000-04:00

after a year it felt amazing to walk the streets of Lake Placid, NY and climb the ADK mountains.

sleeping in a lean-to, eating roasted corn, kayaking, hiking, playing games in the rain and NO cell phone service made it a restful and much needed break from the real world.

sigh, can't wait until next year.

best friends

2010-08-23T11:51:00.000-04:00

when you've been best friends for more than a dozen years, you gotta keep it fresh!

Amanda and Jamie (who now has a BLOG! check it out!) are always there to support and love me

and spell out my initials with their bodies... yup, "K" and "C" can you see it?!

Recital with Alison

2010-08-23T11:40:00.004-04:00

there is no one i would rather sing with than my little sister

the benefit recital for the Rosemary Murdy-Haber Choir Scholarship was a success!

love you little sis :)

kc + jg

2010-07-20T22:35:00.000-04:00

pretty much sums us up :)

i miss you lovey

4th of July

2010-07-12T08:29:00.001-04:00

on our nation's bday, jg and i headed out to the island to visit the Nunez, Portela and little Christopher fams.

we played games in the sun, cooled off in the pool, had lots of good food and drinks

and of course... there was Matty!

I mean, come ON! how darn cute is he?!

Brooklyn Adventure with Kathleen and Stanco

2010-07-11T20:21:00.002-04:00

last Saturday Kathleen, Anthony, jg and I headed down to Brooklyn to check out the Brooklyn Flea.

as we wandered the streets of Fort Greene looking for the market, i fell in love.

the wide, tree-lined, shady streets

the townhouses stacked one next to the other

the overflowing window boxes

the hippie groovy residents and their doodle dog mixes.

i want to move to Fort Greene.

anyway, we found the Brooklyn Flea and shopped around, trying on clothes and googling expensive trinkets. we ate our lunch of the stone steps of a church and then found our way to Fort Greene Park for a little napping and frisbee tossing.

it was a great, great day.

Summer has begun....

2010-07-09T23:02:00.000-04:00

summer is here... well it's been here for over a month and a half, but I have been MIA in blogworld.

so here's a catch up:

as the end of june approached us

the Goldbas Clan headed to Narragansett, RI to visit Aunt Sue, Stan and Nanny.

we took the weekend to sit back and relax on the beautiful sandy shores.

it was glorious. and we lucked out with three incredible days.

sunshine and blue skies. i was in heaven.

we spent our days sunning and swimming

and our evenings laughing and eating.

the perfect way to kick off July!

can't wait to get up to the ADK loj in August!

MPC Christening: Part 1

2010-06-07T19:51:00.000-04:00

my darling little nephew was Christened yesterday, Sunday June 6th.

he was a little angel, so adorable and so well behaved.

more pictures to come!

memorial day weekend w/ MPC

2010-05-31T19:15:00.000-04:00

after a week-long vay-cay in boston/Utica/Simsbury

jg and i headed out to the island w/ the christopher fam to visit the little christopher fam

and, i am so incredibly in love with this little man.

he is so snuggley and smiley and delicious.

we had some amazing food (ribs, sausage, steak!) courtesy of johnny and crissy

and Gigi who came through with two classics

1) hot bean dip and 2) italian ricotta cookies

needless to say i am totally pumped for the christening next weekend.

a whole day celebrating Matty, and i get to be the godmama! woot!

The Horned Dorset Inn

2010-05-28T23:35:00.002-04:00

In the middle of nowhere, in upstate New York, twenty minutes from Utica, NY you will find a hidden treasure.

a historical house, turned five star restaurant. let in on the secret by Bev (jake's gma) and mike and amy, I couldn't have been more pleased to experience the Horned Dorset Inn.

the food was to die for!! in fact you know how you can tell it was so good?

i didn't even think of taking a picture of my scallops, i just wanted to eat them.

jake and i played around with the camera in the garden while we tried to digested all of the rich, buttery, french cuisine goodness.

Graduation!

2010-05-28T09:57:00.000-04:00

Well! I finally did it! I GRADUATED!

I now hold a Bachelor's Degree in Music from the Manhattan School of Music!

But, now what?

That's all I've been hearing from everyone, now what?

Well, I say ANYTHING and EVERYTHING!

Recital

2010-05-28T01:18:00.002-04:00

The Recital: Was a HUGE success :)

so much catch-up: EASTER

2010-05-28T01:15:00.000-04:00

I know, I know - I have been Missing In Action for OVER a month!

Life has just been unbelievably, crazy busy.

So, I'm going to catch you up.

After a long, grueling run of Il Pastor Fido, I couldn't wait to celebrate Easter Sunday and Crissy's birthday on Long Island.

Matty looks soo tiny in these photos, you wouldn't believe how much he has changed over the past two months! He was so quiet and sleepy, now he is a little ball of energy and what a personality! I can't wait to see him this weekend and giggle with him!

Meet: JJ

2010-04-14T09:35:00.002-04:00

last week jake and i headed over to Sukura Park to take some casual head shots for our friend JJ

JJ is an incredible jazz trumpet player, not to mention quite the charmer.

keep an eye out for JJ, he is gracing the telly in a new Beyonce commercial. hollar!

i really want to learn more about my camera.

maybe take a course or even... god forbid... read the manual.

fantastic

2010-04-13T18:38:00.000-04:00

i finally saw the fantastic mr. fox

and it was fantastic, witty and charming.

wes anderson is brilliant.

the soundtrack is perfection.

the voice talent is ridiculous.

on another note: sorry i've been MIA.

in the next month I have a laundry list of to-dos that would make your head spin.

it all is leading up to graduation.

i promise, i will return to blog world.

anyway, see the fantastic mr. fox, it makes you forget your troubles...

at least for an hour and 27 minutes.

The Waiting Game

2010-03-26T16:42:00.002-04:00

On Monday night at 5:30pm, I got a call from my Mom that John and Crissy were at the hospital.

I packed a bag, cleaned the apartment and waited for my parents to come get me.

Monday night turned into Tuesday morning, and by 3:30pm it was time!

after 24 hours of labor, two hours of pushing and a C-section

Matthew Paul Christopher was born at 5:59pm.

8lbs, 20.5inches - pure perfection.

These photos showing the "waiting" of waiting room. We were all a bit nervous,

but the moment he arrived, it was nothing but happiness joy.

we love you Matty!

Meet Matthew Paul Christopher

2010-03-26T00:14:00.001-04:00

on March 23rd, 2010 - 5:59pm

Matthew Paul Christopher was born!

8lbs even 20.5 inches long

my godson is perfection.

this is the first of so many blog posts!

I am so proud of my beautiful sister-in-law and my big brother!
they are going to make amazing parents :)

happy st. patrick's day

2010-03-17T10:27:00.002-04:00

happy st. patrick's day!

well, yesterday we were expecting our little Christopher baby to arrive,

but maybe like his/her mommy - daddy, baby will be four days late!

OR... maybe the luck of the Irish will come through and bring the bundle of joy into our arms!

so excited!!!! I am sure Crissy is sick of the whole gaggle of us bothering her with "how're feeling?" texts and calls.

but, i just can't help it!

HAPPY SAINT PATTY'S DAY!

imagine 1

imagine 2

pirate?

2010-03-13T13:46:00.000-05:00

a few days ago jg + i woke up and realized our house was food-less.

so, we walked down to fairway, and did a substantial shop.

on our way home, a bus cut us off (right through the walk signal)

as we jumped out of the way, jake's raybands fell out of his pocket, and directly under the wheel of the bus.

miraculously the frames were fine, but the one lens was shattered (literally a million little pieces).

so now, we take turns rocking these bad boys.

just like a modern day, idie jack sparrow.

J Sisters

2010-03-05T02:32:00.000-05:00

for the past 5 years i have been a devoted J Sisters client.

i've lived downtown, uptown, east side, west side...

but it never mattered where my abode resided, all roads led to 35 W57th street.

over spring break i always like to pamper myself a bit...

pedi/mani, hair cut, wax, facial... you know the works.

so if you happen to be in NYC and wanting a spa day - head to the J Sisters :)

{ps} mention them in your blog and they'll give you 10% off

they also give 15% discount to college students!

you can't beat that!

Matilda

2010-03-04T11:20:00.000-05:00

about a week ago Soona {the little girl i babysit for} brought home Matilda from the library.

i gasped with excitement and scanned the pages for passages i loved.

hugging the book to my chest, i felt 9 years old again.

Roald Dahl's writing is extraordinary and Danny DeVito's visionary movie is fantastic.

i promised Soona, once she finished Matilda, we would rent the movie and watch it.

three days later, she was ready.

i had almost forgotten how funny, heart wrenching and delightfully entertaining it was {almost}

i encourage anyone who reads this to pick up a childhood book and read, remember and enjoy.

Mama's Birthday

2010-03-02T22:10:00.001-05:00

today is my mama's birthday.

i wish she lived a few blocks away from me, instead of a few states.

i wish we could have weekly breakfast dates and pedi/mani appointments together.

that would be so much fun!

this weekend the whole family will be in NYC to celebrate mama's bday.

and this will be the last birthday we ring in without future baby Christopher.

i can not CANNOT wait!!

and i can't even imagine what an incredible Gigi my mom she will make!

Dear March - come in -

2010-03-01T11:03:00.001-05:00

as emily dickinson said:

Dear March — Come in —
How glad I am —

I hoped for you before —

let me tell you, i have never been this excited for march.
there is just so much to look forward to!

first of all - future god baby christopher is due on march 16th {eeeee!}
before that i have two full weeks of spring break to enjoy
mom's birthday dinner with the whole family this weekend.
{st. patty's day}
the hope of spring!

photo via the ever talented littlebrownpen

We finally got some snow!

2010-02-12T23:05:00.000-05:00

new york city FINALLY got the snow.

while all my friends in DC were cursing the skies, and praying for the snow to cease -

i was begging the weather gods to come my way.

i was wearing my pajamas backwards, wishing on eye lashes and knocking on wood to help the flakes along.

on tuesday night i waited up until 2am for the blizzard to start.

still no snow. i went to bed frustrated and mad.

at 8am i woke up and did a little dance as i pulled back the curtains and saw fat, white snowflakes spiraling down.

school was cancelled. i sighed, pulled back my curtains and laid in bed watching the snow fall.

after sleeping in nice and late jg and i cooked up a big batch chili in the early afternoon.

and then headed out to play.

we went sledding in river side park and trudge along through our little blizzard.

we spent the night snuggled up, eating chili and playing scrabble.

perfection.

21st Birthday Extravaganza: Surprise Party!

2010-02-12T13:31:00.000-05:00

planning a surprise party is exhausting!

it is also a ton of fun {when all is said and done}

for two weeks I schemed.

i had to lie A LOT to jake.

and i called upon our friends and family to help pull it all together.

he was totally, utterly and completely shocked!!

which made all of the secret shopping, planning, baking, cleaning, inviting all worth it!

i love you jg <3

21st Birthday Extravaganza: Dim Sum

2010-02-12T00:56:00.005-05:00

^jamie vibin' the nyc metro and the cold^

^amanda vibin' the cow stomach much to jamie's amusement^

^in love {with dim sum}^

^jg + kc^

^rob {aka pete} and jessie {aka the juice} down from boston to surprise jg^

a birthday just wouldn't be a birthday if it didn't begin with a dim-sum brunch.

so with jrowe, kerong and mandi in tow we headed down to china town.

little did jake know, his sister and her boyfriend were waiting to meet us there and surprise jake.

{the first of many surprises}

armand even endured the longest MTA journey ever just to have a pork bun and celebrate jg's 2-1.

we certainly enjoyed the warmth of the Jing Fong food carts and conversation that cold winter morning.

Jake's 21st B-day Extravaganza: Dinner

2010-02-12T00:18:00.010-05:00

jake is 21!

and he has been 21 for over a week.

but i have MIA in blog world because this birthday celebration had lots and lots of layers.

so here is the first part

on wednesday feb 3rd

jake, his best buddies, amanda and i headed down to consume large amounts of comfort food

and beer at Gus & Gabriel Gastropub

it was ahhhhhmazing.

we laughed, talked, drank, toasted, cheered and even threw back a few shots.

it was the perfect way to ring in jg's 21st.

24th Birthday: MO Bar

2010-01-25T23:14:00.008-05:00

after Citrus, court, garrett, jg and i headed over to MO Bar where we met up with my gorgeous friends.

let's be honest it would just not be a birthday without Adele, Linz and Mandi.

i was only missing one special lady - miss jamie rowe, sniff, sniff who was in DC.

throw in my two favorite cousins adam and shauny, and it was birthday bliss.

MO Bar, at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel was pitch black with a city view to die for and drinks that matched the view.

no seriously, it was so dark in the bar that about 75% of all our photos everyone is either teary-eyed or closed-eyed all together. haha, by the end of the night I had it down to a science. the trick is to keep your eyes closed until RIGHT before the second flash goes off. it works like a charm.

anyway! it was a blast, it was the perfect way to close out the 24th birthday celebration.

24th Birthday: Citrus

2010-01-25T08:05:00.006-05:00

i've been dying to get to Citrus, and i knew exactly who i wanted to come with me.

getting together w/ court and garrett is no easy task.

our schedules are all pretty insane, so when we do finally set a date and manage to keep it,

we make it count.

the food was unbelievable and the stories we managed to swap made even the food pale in comparison. haha.

oh! so those drinks? they are called Citrus Hummers, they were in lieu of birthday cake.

{ps} is it obvious that Court and Garrett celebrated New Year's in St. Bart's

while Jake and I celebrated in Simsbury, CT? naaah.

Sam and Claire

2010-01-25T07:53:00.004-05:00

double dates with sam and claire are always a blast.

when claire and i first met we were both wearing cowboy boots,

i knew then and there we'd be friends.

it's hard to find a "couple" friends, but i think jg and I have been quite successful!

Three Lives & Company

2010-01-24T21:56:00.007-05:00

one of my new year's resolutions is to go on adventures and let New York's Unique and Unexpected places be my guide.

so on Saturday after Dim Sum, we found ourselves at Three Lives & Company

"a pocket of civility" as cited by the Greenwich Village Historical Society.

i was enchanted. it was my grown-up ideal of The Shop Around The Corner.

i could have stayed there all day wandering the stacks.

it was magical.

West Village Wandering

2010-01-24T21:32:00.004-05:00

{my initials, some purply graffiti and a gorgeous owl}

24th Birthday: Dim Sum

2010-01-24T20:47:00.004-05:00

nice and early at 9:30am Jake, Kerong and I made our way down to china town.

we met up with Alex & Emily and Sam & Claire at Jing Fong.

we ate and ate and talked and talked and then we ate some more.

it was delicious!

so, who wants to go next time?!

24th Birthday: Concrete Jungle

2010-01-20T11:35:00.004-05:00

{ps} i know the pictures i post always look poised and pretty, but a shockingly large percentage of the photos look more like this: haha

{saturday the birthday celebration continues.

dim-sum brunch w/ em + alex,

double date outing w/ sam + claire,

dinner @ citrus w/ court + garrett,

drinks with the crew at MO Bar.}

stay tuned.

24th Birthday: The West Branch

2010-01-20T10:42:00.005-05:00

last year jake and i went to Tom Valenti's upper west side luxe restaurant Ouest

this year, we went to Tom Valenti's newest restaurant The West Branch.

equally amazing.

equally as delicious.

{our choices: mussels in saffron sauce, caesar salad, steak frites, rack of lamb.}

it was so delicious we wrapped up a majority of our entrees and yet i was still too full for dessert.

EVEN though they had a homemade s'more brownie delight made w/ fresh marshmallow.

next time, i'm just going for the dessert!

{ps} possibly the best part, was a specialty cocktail made by meech-approved bar tender, Scott. it was a basil lemon drop. it was smooth, sweet and perfection in a martini glass.